Bengaluru

Senior Congress leader G. Parameshwara met Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar at his residence on Wednesday, hours before the latter's swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru.

The meeting has fueled speculation that Parameshwara could be appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the new government. Several other senior Congress leaders, including Satish Jarkiholi, Ramalinga Reddy, M.B. Patil, Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Priyank Kharge, are also expected to be part of the incoming cabinet.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar greeted supporters gathered outside his residence before heading to the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for 4 pm at Lok Bhavan.

The event is expected to witness the presence of the Congress party's top leadership. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has already left New Delhi for Bengaluru, while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary K.C. Venugopal, Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala and several chief ministers from Congress-ruled states are also expected to attend.

Former Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who arrived in Bengaluru for the occasion, expressed confidence in the party's decision-making process.

"Our party always arrives at the right decisions, even if it takes some time. I am confident the leadership will work together effectively and strengthen the organisation," he said.

The ceremony will formally mark the transfer of power in Karnataka, with Shivakumar taking over as Chief Minister after an extended period of consultations within the Congress leadership.

Shivakumar's supporters have organised celebrations across the state, particularly in his home constituency of Kanakapura, where banners and congratulatory displays have been put up to mark the occasion.

A veteran politician and eight-time legislator, Shivakumar has built a reputation as one of the Congress party's key strategists and crisis managers. Serving as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president since 2020, he also held the position of Deputy Chief Minister in the outgoing government.

Born in Kanakapura in 1962, Shivakumar began his political journey as a student activist before winning his first Assembly election in 1989. Since then, he has maintained a strong electoral record and established himself as an influential leader, particularly among the Vokkaliga community.

Over the years, he has played a crucial role in several political battles for the Congress, both within Karnataka and at the national level. His close association with the party's central leadership further strengthened his claim to the chief minister's post.

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Despite facing political controversies and investigations during his career, Shivakumar remained a central figure in Karnataka politics. His elevation to the state's top office marks a significant milestone in his decades-long political journey and signals a new phase in Karnataka's leadership.